Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates after making a 3-point shot against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Chelsea Gray had 27 points and eight assists and hit a career-high seven of Las Vegas' WNBA playoff-record 23 3-pointers and the Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury 117-80 on Saturday night to sweep the best-of-three series.
Las Vegas, which never trailed, also set WNBA playoff marks for consecutive field goals made to open a game (10) and most 3-pointers in a half (11, in the first). The top-seeded Aces beat Phoenix 79-63 on Wednesday.
Las Vegas will play the fourth-seeded Seattle Storm or the fifth-seeded Washington Mystics in the best-of-five semifinals. Seattle leads the best-of-three series with the Mystics 1-0.
Kelsey Plum added 22 points for Las Vegas.
Kaela Davis led short-handed Phoenix with 23 points, and Diamond DeShields had 21.
Phoenix was without Diana Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brittney Griner. Taurasi was out with a quadriceps strain, Diggins-Smith stepped away last week for personal reasons and Griner is being detained in Russia on drug charges.
Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell (1) celebrates after a play against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Phoenix Mercury guard Diamond DeShields (1) watches from the bench during the second half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) reacts after a play against the Las Vegas Aces during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) shoots over Phoenix Mercury's Kaela Davis during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) knocks the ball away from Phoenix Mercury's Kaela Davis, right, during the second half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes (41) battles for the ball with Phoenix Mercury's Kaela Davis, second from right, during the second half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press
Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes (41) grabs a rebound against Phoenix Mercury guard Jennie Simms (25) during the second half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Associated Press